Nova Peris, Peter Garrett, John Alexander and the other celebrities who had a crack at politics

THEY may be renowned for their performances in the sporting arena or on stage, but celebrities often find it hard to make their mark in Australian politics.

Nova Peris was Julia Gillard’s star recruit, but quit the Senate after half a term.

NOVA Peris has announced she won’t recontest the election amid speculation she’s eyeing a job at the AFL.

Senator Peris released a statement today saying after “careful deliberation” with her family she would not recontest her NT Senate spot.

It comes after reports suggesting she’d met with AFL officials and despite being in federal Parliament for less than three years.

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Former Liberal Party powerbroker Michael Kroger says the developments today with Nova Peris are “bad timing” for Labor.

He said it just goes to show that you cannot rely on celebrities in politics.

“Celebrity candidates have a very poor track record in Australian politics and this is another example,” Mr Kroger told Sky News.

Senator Peris — who went to ground after the reports surfaced — is the latest in a string of celebrities to have been tried and tested by the rigours of Australian politics.

Other celebrity politicians include:

Peter Garrett

After standing for the Senate with the Nuclear Disarmament Party in the 1980s, Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett was recruited to Labor by former leader Mark Latham in 2004. Picture: Tara Croser

The Midnight Oil frontman was preselected for the Labor Party in 2004, serving as Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts in the Rudd Government and Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth in the Gillard Government. He moved onto the backbench after the party’s second leadership spill before retiring at the 2013 election.

Maxine McKew

Maxine McKew was recruited by Kevin Rudd to the Labor Party ahead of the 2007 election. She unseated Prime Minister John Howard but only lasted one term in parliament.

The former ABC veteran was recruited to the Labor Party in 2007, defeating John Howard to claim the seat of Bennelong. In 2009 she was promoted to Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government before losing her seat to another celebrity candidate — the Liberal’s John Alexander — in 2010.

Mal Meninga

Mal Meninga (pictured in 2001) announced his intention to stand for the ACT Territory Government, but pulled out shortly after starting his first press conference.

The high-profile rugby league coach campaigned for an ACT government spot during the territory’s 2001 election, famously resigning not long after announcing his candidacy in the middle of a press conference.

John Alexander

Tennis champion John Alexander was hailed a hero within Liberal circles for winning the seat of Bennelong back from Maxine McKew at the 2010 election. Picture: Elenor Tedenborg

Former tennis pro John Alexander was elected to Parliament in 2010, taking John Howard’s old seat of Bennelong back from Labor. At the 2013 election he increased his majority in the seat, turning it into a safer Liberal seat. He chairs a number of high powered committees and is re-contesting the seat again this election.

James Blundell

The country music singer was recruited to Bob Katter’s Australia Party in 2013 as a Senate candidate.

Nicole Cornes

Nicole Cornes ran unsuccessfully for the Labor Party at the ‘Ruddslide’ election of 2007.

The wife of former Adelaide Crows coach Graham Cornes ran as a Labor Party candidate in the 2007 election for the seat of Boothby. Her campaign was reportedly marred by gaffes, including admitting she had previously voted for the Liberal Party.

David Wirrpanda

The West Coast Eagles superstar was preselected by the Nationals as a WA Senate candidate in 2013, but was unsuccessful.

Doug Hawkins

The AFL footballer was preselected by the Palmer United Party to contest a Senate spot in 2013 but was unsuccessful.

Glenn Lazarus

Cross Bench Senator Glenn Lazarus takes part in a panel address to the National Press Club in Canberra today.

The former professional rugby league player ran as a Palmer United Party Senator in 2013 and won. He later quit the party, staying on as an Independent. At this election he’s hoping to expand his influence, starting a political party called the Glenn Lazarus Team.

Originally published as Nova Peris, Peter Garrett, John Alexander and the other celebrities who had a crack at politics